Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has criticised what he considers to be an excessive level of security deployed around Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. His comments came during a public engagement where he expressed concern about the growing trend of privileged individuals attracting disproportionate state protection.
According to Soyinka, the scale of security provided for Seyi Tinubu appears unnecessary and inappropriate for a democratic society. He went as far as claiming that the level of protection was sufficient to foil a coup, a remark that has since generated wide debate among political observers and citizens.
Soyinka stated that leadership must demonstrate discipline, restraint and awareness of public perception, especially during a period of economic hardship and security tension. He stressed that state resources should not be used in a manner that suggests inequality in the distribution of security and privilege.
Critics of the current administration seized on Soyinkas remarks as evidence of growing discontent with the political structure surrounding the presidency. Supporters of the government however argue that Seyi Tinubu often represents key interests of the administration and therefore requires substantial security.
Security analysts note that enhanced protection for relatives of top government officials is not unusual, but agree that the scale must always be proportionate and transparent. With Soyinka weighing in, the matter has entered the national conversation, putting renewed pressure on the presidency to clarify the scope of security assigned to non elected individuals.
The presidency has yet to issue an official response.
